Picture this. A student just turned 16, and for their birthday, they get to move on from their mom’s car and drive an all-new Genesis GV60. They get in, start the car, and want to shift into reverse. But where’s the shifter? It’s this crystal ball, which changes color to create an “emotional connection” with the car. It rotates over, and they select the reverse gear. It resists–, but that’s part of the function. The light changes color as the car shifts, to put the driver in a safe mood.

Since the release of Tesla’s Model S in 2012, which came with a dazzling, 17-inch screen, car companies have been working around the clock to find the next, game-changing innovation. This has resulted in many vehicles now coming out with new, unorthodox features.

For those who are yet to drive, this can feel overwhelming. Dylan Neppell, a sophomore here at CdM, has concerns. “Quite a few students I know are reluctant to drive,” he pointed out, “mainly because driving is hard, especially when it comes to manual cars.” He also brought up the risks of driving, mentioning how some of his friends wanted to circumvent the potential of causing an accident and being liable.

Neppell brought up a fact that many sources also notice: declining licensure. In the last few decades, the percentage of 16-year-olds who held licenses has dropped significantly, from just under 50% in 1980 to around 25% in 2021, according to Progressive.

Billy Saseger, a senior at our school, has also noticed patterns. “There’s a misconception that newer, more advanced technology is always safer,” he stated, “that’s not always true.” He referenced a few features, like tucked-away menus, organized meticulously. To simply open the sunroof, he remarked, you need to take your eyes off the road, click a button, before navigating through a series of digital buttons.

This also aligns with what experts find. Tasks like this can take several seconds on average, which removes the driver’s eyes from the road. While innovations like this are impressive, and it’s good that brands are trying to improve, they must stay focused on safety.